Black mirrors in car: rules, fines and impact on safety

New Delhi. New Delhi. The Rajasthan Assembly complex in Jaipur became a political arena on January 9 when BJP MLA Bal Mukandacharya reached the Assembly in a car with black glass. Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasara stopped Bal Mukandacharya’s car at the assembly gate itself and said that Babaji’s traveling in a car with black glass was illegal and a violation of the law. Dotasara said that the leaders who appeal for the law are themselves breaking the law. This incident has once again brought the blackened mirrors of vehicles into discussion. Actually, installing tinted glass in a car is not a complete crime in India, but installing additional black film or dark colored glass is illegal.

The main rules regarding tinted glass in India are Rule 100 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 and the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Abhishek Goenka vs. Union of India. If any black film is installed after purchasing the car, then it is illegal and a heavy fine can be imposed on it. Police can remove such a film on the spot itself. What are the rules and regulations regarding tinted glasses in cars, why do people install them and what effect do they have on the car’s insurance and the safety of the driver and passengers, let us know in detail…

Question 1: Why do people install black film or tinted glass in their cars?
Answer: Often people get the glass blackened to protect from heat, for privacy, to give a premium look to the vehicle and to make themselves look VIP. Many times, car owners go to modification shops and get such films installed due to lack of proper knowledge of the rules. However, whatever the hobby, it is completely illegal before the law.
Question 2: What is the law in India regarding applying black film on car windows?
Answer: The law in India is clear in this regard. The Supreme Court had made it clear in the case of Abhishek Goenka vs Union of India that after purchasing a car, applying any kind of film on the outside (be it black, colored, smoked or reflective) is completely illegal. Even if the film looks transparent, it is prohibited to install it.
The Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989 (Rule 100) lay down the standards for Visible Light Transmission (VLT). According to this rule, front and rear windshield should have at least 70% visibility. Side windows should have at least 50% visibility. Car companies can supply lightly tinted ‘privacy glass’ from the factory that meets these standards, but the customer cannot affix any ‘film’ on his own.
Question 3: How much fine and penalty can one have to face if black glass is found?
Answer: This is considered a serious violation under the Motor Vehicles Act. In different states of the country, its fine can range from ₹ 100 to ₹ 2,000. In metropolitan cities like Delhi and Mumbai, the police is very strict on this. The traffic police has the right to stop the vehicle and remove the film on the spot with its own hands or with the help of a cutter. If you are caught with the same mistake again, your driving license can be canceled or the vehicle can be impounded.
Question 4: Does installing black film in a car make it unsafe?
Answer: Black film reduces the ‘visibility’ of the driver. Especially at night, in heavy rain or dense fog, the driver cannot see outside objects clearly, which increases the risk of fatal accidents. Police and security agencies argue that under the cover of black glasses, criminals commit crimes like kidnapping, smuggling of illegal weapons or molestation inside the vehicle. Due to not being able to see inside from outside, the security personnel are not able to identify the person in trouble.
Question 5: Do ministers, MLAs or VIPs get any special exemption for installing tinted glass?
Answer: Law is equal for everyone, but security is an exception. According to a 2012 order of the Supreme Court, exemption can be given only to those persons who fall in the ‘highly specialized security category’ (such as Z+ or Z category) by the Government of India. This exemption is available only when agencies like SPG, IB or RAW recommend it in writing and an official permission letter is issued by the government. Generally, there is no constitutional permission for a minister, MLA or MP to install black film on their personal car, unless they pose a special security threat. The dispute in Rajasthan was the result of ignoring this rule.
Question 6: Are the rules different for luxury or electric cars?
Answer: Not at all. Whether your car is worth ₹5 lakh or ₹5 crore, and whether it runs on petrol or electric (EV), the rules are the same for all. Some luxury cars come with ‘privacy glass’ from the factory which is within legal standards (VLT). If the car’s mirrors are factory-fitted, they are legal, but it is illegal to have additional coatings on them.
Question 7: Can black film affect your car insurance?
Answer: Yes, this is an aspect which people often do not pay attention to. According to the rules of motor insurance policy, any modification made to the vehicle that violates the laws of the country can weaken your claim. If your car meets with an accident and the insurance company finds that low visibility (blackened mirrors) caused the accident, they can completely reject or deduct your claim citing ‘violation of law’.

Question 8: How do police decide to investigate black mirrors?
Answer: In modern policing, challan is no longer issued just by looking at the eyes. Two methods are adopted for this. A VLT meter (tint meter) is placed on the glass and it immediately tells what percentage of light is passing through the glass. If a layer of outer film, bubbles or film peeling off from the edge is visible on the glass, the police can take action under ‘illegal modification’ even without a meter.